Crystalline transition metal tungstate

ABSTRACT

A hydroprocessing catalyst has been developed. The catalyst is a unique transition metal tungstate material. The hydroprocessing using the crystalline ammonia transition metal dimolybdotungstate material may include hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 62/267,869 filed Dec. 15, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new hydroprocessing catalyst. More particularly this invention relates to a unique crystalline transition metal tungstate and its use as a hydroprocessing catalyst. The hydroprocessing may include hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking.

BACKGROUND

In order to meet the growing demand for petroleum products there is greater utilization of sour crudes, which when combined with tighter environmental legislation regarding the concentration of nitrogen and sulfur within fuel, leads to accentuated refining problems. The removal of sulfur (hydrodesulfurization—HDS) and nitrogen (hydrodenitrification—HDN) containing compounds from fuel feed stocks is targeted during the hydrotreating steps of refining and is achieved by the conversion of organic nitrogen and sulfur to ammonia and hydrogen sulfide respectively.

Since the late 1940s the use of catalysts containing nickel (Ni) and molybdenum (Mo) or tungsten (W) have demonstrated up to 80% sulfur removal. See for example, V. N. Ipatieff, G. S. Monroe, R. E. Schaad, Division of Petroleum Chemistry, 115^(th) Meeting ACS, San Francisco, 1949. For several decades now there has been an intense interest directed towards the development of materials to catalyze the deep desulfurization, in order to reduce the sulfur concentration to the ppm level. Some recent breakthroughs have focused on the development and application of more active and stable catalysts targeting the production of feeds for ultra low sulfur fuels. Several studies have demonstrated improved HDS and HDN activities through elimination of the support such as, for example, Al₂O₃. Using bulk unsupported materials provides a route to increase the active phase loading in the reactor as well as providing alternative chemistry to target these catalysts.

More recent research in this area has focused on the ultra deep desulfurization properties achieved by a Ni—Mo/W unsupported ‘trimetallic’ material reported in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,156,695. The controlled synthesis of a broadly amorphous mixed metal oxide consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and nickel, significantly outperformed conventional hydrotreating catalysts. The structural chemistry of the tri-metallic mixed metal oxide material was likened to the hydrotalcite family of materials, referring to literature articles detailing the synthesis and characterization of a layered nickel molybdate material, stating that the partial substitution of molybdenum with tungsten leads to the production of a broadly amorphous phase which, upon decomposition by sulfidation, gives rise to superior hydrotreating activities.

The chemistry of these layered hydrotalcite-like materials was first reported by H. Pezerat, contribution à l'étude des molybdates hydrates de zinc, cobalt et nickel, C. R. Acad. Sci., 261, 5490, who identified a series of phases having ideal formulas MMoO₄.H₂O, EHM₂O⁻(MoO₄)₂.H₂O, and E_(2-x)(H₃O)_(x)M₂O(MoO₄)₂ where E can be NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺ and M can be Zn²⁺, Co²⁺ or Ni²⁺.

Pezerat assigned the different phases the observed as being Φc, Φy or Φy and determined the crystal structures for Φx and Φy, however owing to a combination of the small crystallite size, limited crystallographic capabilities and complex nature of the material, there were doubts raised as to the quality of the structural assessment of the materials. During the mid 1970s, Clearfield et al attempted a more detailed analysis of the Φx and Φy phases, see examples A. Clearfield, M. J. Sims, R. Gopal, Inorg. Chem., 15, 335; A. Clearfield, R. Gopal, C. H. Saldarriaga-Molina, Inorg. Chem., 16, 628. Single crystal studies on the product from a hydrothermal approach allowed confirmation of the Φx structure, however they failed in their attempts to synthesize Φy and instead synthesized an alternative phase, Na—Cu(OH)(MoO₄), see A. Clearfield, A. Moini, P. R. Rudolf, Inorg. Chem., 24, 4606.

The structure of Φy was not confirmed until 1996 when by Ying et al. Their investigation into a room temperature chimie douce synthesis technique in the pursuit of a layered ammonium zinc molybdate led to a metastable aluminum-substituted zincite phase, prepared by the calcination of Zn/Al layered double hydroxide (Zn₄Al₂(OH)₁₂CO_(3.)zH₂O). See example D. Levin, S. L. Soled, J. Y. Ying, Inorg. Chem., 1996, 35, 4191-4197. This material was reacted with a solution of ammonium heptamolybdate at room temperature to produce a highly crystalline compound, the structure of which could not be determined through conventional ab-initio methods. The material was indexed, yielding crystallographic parameters which were the same as that of an ammonium nickel molybdate, reported by Astier, see example M. P. Astier, G. Dji, S. Teichner, J. Ann. Chim. (Paris), 1987, 12, 337, a material belonging to a family of ammonium-amine-nickel-molybdenum oxides closely related to Pezerat's materials. Astier did not publish any detailed structural data on this family of materials, leading to Ying et al reproducing the material to be analyzed by high resolution powder diffraction in order to elucidate the structure. Ying et al named this class of materials ‘layered transition-metal molybdates’ or LTMs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A unique crystalline transition metal tungstate material has been produced and optionally sulfided, to yield an active hydroprocessing catalyst. The crystalline transition metal tungstate material has a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing strong peaks at 9.65, 7.3 and 5.17 Å. The crystalline transition metal tungstate material has the formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3.0 more or from 0.5 to 2.5, or from 1 to 2; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 5 or from 2 to 4; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x, M and y; the material having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w

Another embodiment involves a method of making a crystalline transition metal tungstate material having the formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3.0 or from 0.5 to 2.5, or from 1 to 2; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 5 or from 2 to 4; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x, M and y; the material having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w

The method comprising forming a reaction mixture containing NH₃, H₂O, and sources of M and W; reacting the reaction mixture; and recovering the crystalline transition metal tungstate material.

Yet another embodiment involves a conversion process comprising contacting a feed with a catalyst at conversion conditions to give at least one product, the catalyst comprising: a crystalline transition metal tungstate material having the formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3.0 or from 0.5 to 2.5, or from 1 to 2; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 5 or from 2 to 4; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x, M and y; the material having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description of the invention, the drawing and claims provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The FIGURE is the X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the crystalline metal tungstate, prepared according to the methods as described in Examples 1 to 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a crystalline transition metal tungstate composition, a process for preparing the composition, and a process using the composition as a catalyst. The material has the designation UPM-12. This composition has an empirical formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3.0 or from 0.5 to 2.5, or from 1 to 2; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 5 or from 2 to 4; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x and y.

The crystalline composition of the invention is characterized by having an extended network of M-O-M, where M represents a metal, or combination of metals listed above. The structural units repeat itself into at least two adjacent unit cells without termination of the bonding. The composition can have a one-dimensional network, such as for example, linear chains.

The crystalline transition metal tungstate composition having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A.

TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w

The crystalline transition metal tungstate composition of the invention having the x-ray powder diffraction pattern shown in the FIGURE.

The crystalline transition metal tungstate composition is prepared by solvothermal crystallization of a reaction mixture typically prepared by mixing reactive sources of tungsten with the appropriate metal ‘M’ with a solvent as well as a source of ammonia. Specific examples of the tungsten source which may be utilized in this invention include but are not limited to tungsten trioxide, ammonium ditungstate, ammonium thiotungstate, ammonium heptatungstate, ammonium paratungstate and ammonium metatungstate. Sources of other metals “M” include but are not limited to the respective halide, acetate, nitrate, carbonate, thiols and hydroxide salts. Specific examples include nickel chloride, cobalt chloride, nickel bromide, cobalt bromide, magnesium chloride, nickel nitrate, cobalt nitrate, iron nitrate, manganese nitrate, zinc nitrate, nickel acetate, cobalt acetate, iron acetate, nickel carbonate, cobalt carbonate, zinc carbonate, nickel hydroxide and cobalt hydroxide.

The source of ammonia may include but is not limited to ammonium hydroxide, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium chloride, quaternary ammonium hydroxide, ammonium fluoride or a combination thereof.

Generally, the solvothermal process used to prepare the composition of this invention involves forming a reaction mixture wherein all of the components, such as for example, Ni, W, NH₃ and H₂O are mixed in solution together. By way of example, a reaction mixture may be formed which in terms of molar ratios of the oxides is expressed by the formula: AMO_(x):BWO_(y):C(NH₃):H₂O where ‘M’ is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, zinc and mixtures thereof; ‘A’ represents the molar ratio of ‘M’ and may vary from 0.1 to 3 or from 0.5 to 2 and or from 0.75 to 1.25; ‘x’ is a number which satisfies the valency of ‘M’; ‘B’ represents the molar ratio of W and may vary from 0.5 to 10 or from 1 to 7 and or from 2 to 4; ‘y’ is a number which satisfies the valency of W; ‘C’ represents the molar ratio of NH₃ and may vary from 0.5 to 50 or from 1 to 20 and or from 3 to 10; and the molar ratio of H₂O and varies from 1 to 1000 or from 10 to 500 and or from 30 to 300.

Once the reaction mixture is formed, the reaction mixture is reacted at temperatures ranging from about 30° C. to about 130° C. for a period of time ranging from 30 minutes to around 14 days. In one embodiment the temperate range for the reaction is from about 30° C. to about 60° C. and in another embodiment the temperature is in the range of from about 90° C. to about 120° C. In one embodiment, the reaction time is from about 4 to about 6 hours, and in another embodiment the reaction time is from about 4 to 7 days. The reaction is carried out under atmospheric pressure or in a sealed vessel under autogenous pressure. In one embodiment the synthesis may be conducted in an open vessel. The crystalline transition metal tungstate compositions are recovered as the reaction product. The crystalline transition metal tungstate compositions are characterized by their unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern as shown in Table A above and the FIGURE.

Once formed, the crystalline transition metal tungstate composition may have a binder incorporated, where the selection of binder includes but is not limited to anionic and cationic clays such as hydrotalcites, pyroaurite-sjogrenite-hydrotalcites, montmorillonite and related clays, kaolin, sepiolites, silicas, alumina such as (pseudo) boehomite, gibbsite, flash calcined gibbsite, eta-alumina, zicronica, titania, alumina coated titania, silica-alumina, silica coated alumina, alumina coated silicas and mixtures thereof, or other materials generally known as particle binders in order to maintain particle integrity. These binders may be applied with or without peptization. The binder may be added to the bulk crystalline transition metal tungstate composition, and the amount of binder may range from about 1 to about 30 wt % of the finished catalysts or from about 5 to about 26 wt % of the finished catalyst. The binder may be chemically bound to the crystalline transition metal tungstate composition, or may be present in a physical mixture with the crystalline transition metal tungstate composition.

The crystalline transition metal tungstate composition, with or without an incorporated binder can then be sulfided or pre-sulfided under a variety of sulfidation conditions, these include through contact of the crystalline transition metal tungstate composition with a sulfur containing feed as well as the use of a gaseous mixture of H₂S/H₂. The sulfidation of the crystalline transition metal tungstate composition is performed at elevated temperatures, typically ranging from 50 to 600° C., or from 150 to 500° C., and or from 250 to 450° C.

The unsupported crystalline transition metal tungstate material of this invention can be used as a catalyst or catalyst support in various hydrocarbon conversion processes. Hydroprocessing processes is one class of hydrocarbon conversion processes in which the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is useful as a catalyst. Examples of specific hydroprocessing processes are well known in the art and include hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking.

The operating conditions of the hydroprocessing processes listed above typically include reaction pressures from about 2.5 MPa to about 17.2 MPa, or in the range of about 5.5 to about 17.2 MPa, with reaction temperatures in the range of about 245° C. to about 440° C., or in the range of about 285° C. to about 425° C. Time with which the feed is in contact with the active catalyst, referred to as liquid hour space velocities (LHSV), should be in the range of about 0.1 h⁻¹ to about 10 h⁻¹, or about 2.0 h⁻¹ to about 8.0 h⁻¹. Specific subsets of these ranges may be employed depending upon the feedstock being used. For example when hydrotreating a typical diesel feedstock, operating conditions may include from about 3.5 MPa to about 8.6 MPa, from about 315° C. to about 410° C., from about 0.25/h to about 5/h, and from about 84 Nm³ H₂/m³ to about 850 Nm³ H₂/m³ feed. Other feedstocks may include gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, gas oils, distillates, and reformate.

Examples are provided below so that the invention may be described more completely. These examples are only by way of illustration and should not be interpreted as a limitation of the broad scope of the invention, which is set forth in the appended claims.

Patterns presented in the following examples were obtained using standard x-ray powder diffraction techniques. The radiation source was a high-intensity, x-ray tube operated at 45 kV and 35 mA. The diffraction pattern from the copper K-alpha radiation was obtained by appropriate computer based techniques. Powder samples were pressed flat into a plate and continuously scanned from 3° and 70° (2θ). Interplanar spacings (d) in Angstrom units were obtained from the position of the diffraction peaks expressed as θ, where θ is the Bragg angle as observed from digitized data. Intensities were determined from the integrated area of diffraction peaks after subtracting background, “Io” being the intensity of the strongest line or peak, and “I” being the intensity of each of the other peaks. As will be understood by those skilled in the art the determination of the parameter 2θ is subject to both human and mechanical error, which in combination can impose an uncertainty of about ±0.4° on each reported value of 2θ. This uncertainty is also translated to the reported values of the d-spacings, which are calculated from the 2θ values. In some of the x-ray patterns reported, the relative intensities of the d-spacings are indicated by the notations vs, s, m, and w, which represent very strong, strong, medium, and weak, respectively. In terms of 100(I/I₀), the above designations are defined as:

-   -   w=0-15, m=15-60:s=60-80 and vs=80-100.

In certain instances the purity of a synthesized product may be assessed with reference to its x-ray powder diffraction pattern. Thus, for example, if a sample is stated to be pure, it is intended only that the x-ray pattern of the sample is free of lines attributable to crystalline impurities, not that there are no amorphous materials present. As will be understood to those skilled in the art, it is possible for different poorly crystalline materials to yield peaks at the same position. If a material is composed of multiple poorly crystalline materials, then the peak positions observed individually for each poorly crystalline materials would be observed in the resulting summed diffraction pattern. Likewise it is possible to have some peaks appear at the same positions within different, single phase, crystalline materials, which may be simply a reflection of a similar distance within the materials and not that the materials possess the same structure.

Example 1

Ammonium Metatungstate Hydrate (47.3 g, 0.18 moles of W) was placed in a 500 ml beaker and then dissolved in 25 mL of concentrated (30%) NH₄OH solution. To this solution, nickel basic carbonate was added (6.75 g, 0.06 moles of Ni) to order form a homogeneous mixture. The mixture was placed in a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave and heated to 60° C. for 8 hours, after which, the mixture transferred back to a 500 ml beaker and dried overnight at 150° C. The resulting product was analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, and the X-ray powder diffraction pattern is shown in the FIGURE.

Example 2

Ammonium Metatungstate Hydrate (12.63 g, 0.05 moles W) was placed in a 500 ml beaker along with 75 mL of water. To this clear solution, 20 mL of concentrated (30%) NH₄OH solution was added, bringing the pH around 11. Next, nickel nitrate hexahydrate (14.5 g, 0.05 moles of Ni) was added slowly, forming an immediate precipitate. The mixture was centrifuged and the solid was collected and dried overnight at 100° C. The resulting product was analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, and the X-ray powder diffraction pattern is shown in the FIGURE.

Example 3

Nickel nitrate hexahydrate (29.07 g, 0.1 moles of Ni) and ammonium metatungstate hydrate (25.25 g, 0.1 mol W) were dissolved in 150 ml of DI water. This clear solution was combined with 40 ml concentrated (30%) NH₄OH solution and left to stir overnight at room temperature. The mixture was centrifuged and the solid was collected and dried at room temperature. The resulting product was analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, and the X-ray powder diffraction pattern is shown in the FIGURE.

Embodiments

Embodiment 1 is a crystalline transition metal tungstate material having the formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3.0 or from 0.5 to 2.5, or from 1 to 2; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 5 or from 2 to 4; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x, M and y; the material having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w

The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of embodiment 1 wherein the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt % binder.

The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of embodiment 1 wherein the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt % binder and wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of silicas, aluminas, and silica-aluminas.

The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of embodiment 1 wherein M is nickel or cobalt.

The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of embodiment 1 wherein M is nickel.

The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of embodiment 1 wherein the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is sulfided.

Embodiment 2 is a method of making a crystalline transition metal tungstate material having the formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3.0 or from 0.5 to 2.5, or from 1 to 2; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 5 or from 2 to 4; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x, M and y; the material having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w the method comprising: (a) forming a reaction mixture containing NH₃, H₂O, and sources of M and W; (b) adjusting the pH of the reaction mixture to a pH of from around 8.5 to about 10; (c) heating the reaction mixture at temperatures between 30° and 100° C. until the resultant pH is between 8 and 9; and (d) recovering the crystalline transition metal tungstate material.

The method of embodiment 2 wherein the reacting is conducted at a temperature of from 30° C. to about 130° C. for a period of time from about 30 minutes to 14 days.

The method of embodiment 2 wherein the recovering is by filtration, centrifugation or drying.

The method of embodiment 2 further comprising adding a binder to the recovered crystalline transition metal tungstate material.

The method of embodiment 2 further comprising adding a binder to the recovered crystalline transition metal tungstate material wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of aluminas, silicas, and alumina-silicas.

The method of embodiment 2 further comprising sulfiding the recovered crystalline transition metal tungstate material.

Embodiment 3 is a conversion process comprising contacting a feed with a catalyst at conversion conditions to give at least one product, the catalyst comprising a crystalline transition metal tungstate material having the formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3.0 or from 0.5 to 2.5, or from 1 to 2; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 5 or from 2 to 4; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x, M and y; the material having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A:

TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w

The process of embodiment 3 wherein the conversion process is hydroprocessing.

The process of embodiment 3 wherein the conversion process is selected from the group consisting of hydrodenitrification, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodemetallation, hydrodesilication, hydrodearomatization, hydroisomerization, hydrotreating, hydrofining, and hydrocracking.

The process of embodiment 3 wherein the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt % binder.

The process of embodiment 3 wherein the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is sulfided. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A crystalline transition metal tungstate material having the formula: (NH₄)_(x)MW_(y)O_(z) where ‘x’ varies from 0.1 to 3; ‘M’ is a metal selected from Mg, Mn, Fe, Co Ni, Cu, Zn, and mixtures thereof; ‘y’ ranges from 1 to 10; and z is a number which satisfies the sum of the valences of x, M and y; the material having a unique x-ray powder diffraction pattern showing peaks at the d-spacings listed in Table A: TABLE A d(Å) I0/I % 9.67-9.49 vs 9.09-8.94 m 8.18-8.13 m  8.22-10.91 w 5.05-5.0  m 4.96-4.91 m 4.80-4.76 m 4.51-4.47 w 4.09-4.05 w 3.84-3.81 w 3.74-3.68 m 3.60-3.55 w.


2. The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of claim 1 wherein the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is present in a mixture with at least one binder and wherein the mixture comprises up to 25 wt % binder.
 3. The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of claim 2 wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of silicas, aluminas, and silica-aluminas.
 4. The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of claim 1 wherein M is nickel or cobalt.
 5. The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of claim 1 wherein M is nickel.
 6. The crystalline transition metal tungstate material of claim 1 wherein the crystalline transition metal tungstate material is sulfided. 